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Originally posted by irateplatypus
[B] before anyone jumps on my back... i dont' condone either. however...
US prisoner abuse:
1. the prisoners were either criminals or captured enemy soldiers.
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No, they were all suspected of being criminals or captured enemy soldiers. Many people in those prisons have been let go after questioning. In any event, torture is wrong.
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2. they were humiliated for purposes of gaining intelligence.
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Torture is wrong.
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3. the prisoners have decent odds of having american blood on their hands (which, is a part of war. i understand that)
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Decent odds = some people are innocent. Torturing the innocent is wrong. Torturing the guilty is wrong.
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4. ostensibly, the devices used by the americans were being used to save american lives.
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Torture is wrong.
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5. their faces were covered, the photos were taken and leaked.
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Torture is wrong.
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6. sparked an intense investigation,
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Torture is wrong.
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7 soldiers already summoned to a courts-martial.
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Torture is wrong.
Either we, representing the United States of America, have principles or we do not. We ostensibly invaded Iraq to stop the torture and abuse of Saddam Hussein. We cannot say "well, we torture LESS than he did, so there!"
Torture is wrong under any circumstance. If we do it, if they do it, if anyone does it. War is ugly, but war without any principles whatsoever is uglier. Without the basic standards of the Geneva Convention, we are taking war back to the stone age. Maybe that's good, perhaps people need to realize the horrors of war. But, don't try to say "my torture is better than your torture."